Hypodermic injection devices



Feb. 14, 1956 c. CRESCAS ET AL HYPODERMIC INJECTION DEVICES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 29, 1952 M&

INVENTORS 1956 c. CRESCAS ET AL HYPODERMIC INJECTION DEVICES 4 Sheets-Shem. 2

Filed April 29, 1952 IN VEN TOR.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 14, 1956 c. cREscAs ETAL HYPODERMIC INJECTION DEVICES Filed April 29, 1952 Feb. 14, 1956 c, c sc s ET AL 2,734,504

HYPODERMIC INJECTION DEVICES Filed April 29, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 3521/62 P. ELK) IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent HYPODERMIC INJECTION DEVICES Charles Crescas, Brooklyn, and Bernard P. Elkin, Forest Hills, N. Y.

Application April 29, 1952, Serial No. 284,976

7 7 Claims. (Cl. 128-218) This invention relates to an injector, and more particularly to a mechanically timed device for the application of hypodermic injections for medicinal purposes.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of this invention, it may here be pointed out that in the treatment of various diseases it is frequently necessary to provide intraarterial, intravenous or intramuscular hypodermic injections of various medicaments, in accordance with the condition to be treated at very constant and/or slow rates of speed. Hitherto in such cases, it has been necessary that a physician or a nurse be in constant attendance, and apply such injections manually at a very slow rate of speed, timing the action carefully and endeavoring to apply the injection at a constant desired rate of speed. This has resulted not only in the loss of time to the attending physician or nurse, but due to the manual element involved, has frequently been unsatisfactory due to deviations in the amount of pressure exerted on the hypodermic plunger and other human factors, which have therefore resulted in non-uniform injections. Furthermore, the introduction of the human factor frequently has produced a variation in the time of the injection due to under or over exertion of pressure by manual means, and this in turn has resulted in a relatively unsatisfactory treatment. A primary object of this invention, therefore, is the provision of a mechanical means of absolute accuracy whereby the time and relative fiow of the hypodermic injection may be readily and efficiently determined in advance and the resultant feeding of the hypodermic fluid will be mechanically accurate to the exact degree prescribed by the attending physician.

One object of this invention is the provision of a device whereby hypodermic injections may be given to a patient at a very slow rate, without the necessity 'forconstant attendance of a physician or nurse.

1 Another object of the invention is the provision of such a device whereby any desired quantity of medicinal injection may be introduced hypodermically to the body of a patient in any desired time, in accordance with the usage for which it is prescribed. I

' Still another. object of the invention is the provision of such a device whereby the time during which the 2,734,504 1C Patented Feb. 14, 1956 injector device wherein provision is made for expunging entrapped air in the hypodermic syringe before the injection period begins.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a device, in one form of the invention, whereby a plurality of hypodermic injections may be administered simultaneously to several patients, and/or animals, all at the same uniform rate of flow, and over the same prescribed period of time.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which is reliable and eificient and extremely accurate in operation which is relatively inexpensive and simple to assemble and utilize, and which may be manufactured at a comparative minimum of cost.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character provided with means whereby hypodermic syringes of varying capacity may be interchangeably utilized in conjunction with the same basic driving mechanism.

Still other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds, and shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein there are disclosed preferred forms of this inventive concept.

For other objects and for a better understanding of this invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view, partially in elevation and partially in section, disclosing one form of the device, em bodying the instant inventive concept;

Fig. 2 is an explodedperspective view, partially broken away, showing a constructional detail;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing the parts in a different position of adjustment;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows; v

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. l, but showing a modified form of construction;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the construction shown in Fig. 5, but showing a modified assembly for the mounting of the hypodermic syringe;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, but disclosing a still further modification;

Fig. 8 is a side sectional view taken substantially along the line 88 of Fig. 9 as viewed in the direction indicated structional detail.

injection is to be applied is predetermined with absolute 7 accuracy. without the necessity of a constant check on the time.

A still further object is the provision of a device of this nature wherebythe rate of injection is absolutely constant, and does not fluctuate in accordance with manual pressure on the hypodermic plunger, as has heretofore been the case when such injections were given manually.

' A still further object 'of the invention is to provide an injector device which accurately repeats the same rate of injection at each loading.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an injector device wherein the hypodermic syringe may be reloaded without dismantling the device or without re- Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing. Having reference now to the drawings in detail, and more particularly to that form of device disclosed in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, there is generally indicated at 20 a casing or housing, within which is positioned a timing motor 21, of conventional design, secured to a casing 22, which contains reduction gearing of desired conventional form. The securing means may take the form of screws 23, provided with nuts 24 and lock Washers 25. Current is supplied to the motor 21 by means of a Wire 26, extending through a suitable aperture in the bushing 27 in the side wall of the casing. One side of the casing is provided with a closure plate 28, provided with a circular aperture therein internally threaded as at 29, within which aperture is adapted to seat one end of a screw barrel 30, the barrel being providedat that extremity with a clamping flange 31. A lock nut 32 provided with threads 33, and a knurled rim 34 is adapted to engage with the threads 29 and seat against the flange 31 in order to hold the screw barrel securely in related assembly with the housing.

A drive shaft 35 extends outwardly from gear box 22, and terminates in a polygonal nut 36, shaft 35 and nut 36 being rotated at a predetermined speed by means of motor 21. Obviously any desired type of motor may be utilized and rotated at any desired speed although for pra llqal purposes a rotation of the shaft 35 and its associated nut 36 at the rate of one and one-half to two revolutions per hour has been found to be desirable.

The polygonal nut 36 provides means to transm t rota tional torque to the drive barrel 38 without transmittin thrust to the reduction gears in the casing The nut or drive portion 36 of the drive shaft 35 is adapted to be engaged in a corresponding aperture in the end 37 of a drive barrel 38 pqfiitioncd imcriorly of screw barrel 30 and rotatable therewithin. The drive barrel includes elongated slots 39, and the end 37 is provided with a flange or rib 40 serving as. a retaining ring for needle bearings 41, the opposite ends of which seat against shoulders 42 formedinteriorly of screw. barrel 30. The opposite end of. drive barrel 38, is also provided with a flange or bearing retaining ring 43, which serves to retain corresponding needle bearings 44 which seat against shoulders 45 formed in the opposite end of the interior of screw barrel 3.0. It will thus be seen that drive barrel 38 is mounted for free rotation by drive haft 3 within screw barrel 30.

The interior of screw barrel 30. is provided along a substantial portion of its length with an interior screw thread 50, which thread is adapted to be engaged by corresponding threads 51 at the extremity of lugs 52, which extend radially from a circular disc-like portion 53 through the slots 39 of drive barrel 38.

Disc-like portion 53 is provided with a central threaded aperture, Within which is adapted to engage a cap screw 54, the head 55 of which seats in a suitable recess 56 in a guide member 57, provided with an arcuate outer surface 58, the purpose of which will be more fully described hereinafter, and which is movable linearly interiorly of drive barrel 38.

' It will now be seen that rotation of drive shaft 35 will correspondingly occasion rotation of drive barrel 38, and that this rotation will cause corresponding linear movement 0ft guide 57, rotation, of disc-like member 53 being precluded relative to drive barrel 38 by means of the engagement of lugs 52 and slots 39.

Th guide, 57 in the screw barrel 30 can be manually adjusted prior to the injection period. By loosening the. lock nut 32, slightly the screw barrel 3.0 can be rotated in place manually with the drive barrel 38 held relative. to the drive pin 36. Manual rotation of the screw bar rel 30 will cause a linear movement of the guide 57. In this manner the guide 57 can be quickly reset for subsequent loading and. air can be expelled as the syringe is filled. It is also possible to use this techniqueto reload a syringe without disassembling any components of the device.

In the use and operation of the device, a hypodermic syringe generally indicated at 60 and including the conventional plunger 61 provided with an end portion 62 the latter having an arcuate surface. adapted to coact with the arcuate surface 58 of guide member 57 is filled with the prescribed hypodermic fluid to the position, for example shown in Fig. l, with plunger 61 being fully extended. Hypodermic syringe 60 is adapted to beheld in position relative to screw barrel 30 by means of; a split ring collar 65, havinga central aperture engageable about the syringe barrel, clamping being effected by means of a cap screw 66 engaging through suitable corresponding threacled apertures in the separable ends of the split collar. A suitable, recess 67 is cut in one side of' the separable collar whereby accessmay be readily had to the head of cap screw 66. Separable collar is provided with an interiorly threaded flange 68 which is engageable with exterior thread 69 on screw barrel 30.

Means are provided for determining the accurate positioning of the syringe relative to the screw barrel 30, and comprise a bore 70 in the wall of screw barrel 30, within which is seated a dowel pin 71, serving as a limit stop for the end of the flange 68.

The inner ring of separable collar 65 is adapted to be positioned tightly against the conventional flange 72 of the hypodermic syringe barrel 60. Obviously the syringe is provided with the customary tip 73 for engagement with a conventional hypodermic needle or with a tube at the end of which is located the needle, or other suitable arrangement.

Having reference now to the modified form of the device disclosed in Fig. 5, the general arrangement of housing 20', motor reduction gearing box, drive pin and screw barrel assembly is substantially identical to that disclosed in the foregoing modification, and accordingly needs no further description. Screw barrel 30' is provided with a flange 31" and secured to position by means of a lock nut 32 all substantially identical to that of the preceding modification. Screw barrel 30' is also interiorly threaded as indicated at 50'.

However, in this modification there is provided a drive barrel, generally indicated at 80, and including longitudinally extending slots 81, and an integral end cap 82. The end cap 82 includes a reduced end portion 83 provided with a central aperture 84, of polygonal cross section in conformity with driving pin 36, and adapted for rotation thereby. Reduced portion 83 of drive barrel is provided with an inner ball race 85, held against linear movement at one end by a shoulder 86, positioned inteliorly of screw barrel 30' and at its other end by beads or flanges 87 and 88 seated respectively in appropriate grooves in the interior periphery of screw barrel 30', and the exterior periphery of reduced portion 83 of drive barrel 80, the former serving to hold in position corresponding outer ball races 89. Suitable ball bearings 90 are positioned between the aligned inner and outer races to permit free rotation of the inner end of drive barrel 80. The outer end of drive barrel 80 is rotatably mounted against suitable needle bearings 91, held in position by appropriate collars 92 and 93 or the like, preferably secured to the interior periphery of screw barrel 30.

Positioned'within drive barrel 80 is an end cap 95, provided with threadedlugs 95a which extend throughthe slots 81, and engage the interior threads 50 of drive barrel30. Secured within the cup shaped member 95 is. a flanged guide disc 96, which contains, a fibrou washer 97 provided with a recess 98, within which seats the head 99 of a cap screw 100, the latter extending through suitable threaded apertures in members 95 and 96 to hold the parts in relative assembly. The outer surface of tibrous washer 97 is arcuate, to conform to the general configuration of the head 101 of the plunger 102 of a hypodermic syringe barrel 103, of conventional construction and in the illustrative embodiment shown of 20 cc. capacity.

Aslightly different means of securing the hypodermic syringe to the screw barrel is provided in this modification, and includes interior threads 104 on the inner end of the screw barrel 30 which are engageable with corresponding exterior threads 105 on a flange 106 of a locking collar generally indicatedat 1 07. The collar 107 is provided with an abutting shoulderllltl adapted to engage the end of screw barrel.30 and includes an interiorly extending radial flange 109. Againstthe flange109 is adapted to be seated a sealing washer 110 against which seats one Side of theconventional flange 111 of syringe barrel 103. An

additional, sealing gasket or washer 112 is adapted to be pc iticncdonthe other side oftheflange 11 1; andsecurcd in position by a lock nut generally indicated at 113,- and including exterior threads; 114 which engage corresponding internal threads 115 in locking collar 107. Lock nut 113 is provided with a knurled peripheral rim 116 whereby the same may be readily removed and inserted for the purpose of seating the rim or flange 111 of the syringe barrel 103 against its associated flange or washer. In this modification the syringe isalso provided with the customary needle engaging tip 117. The operation of this modification is substantially identical to that described in the foregoing modification, the difference residing in the mounting of the drive barrel and the connection of the syringe barrel to the screw barrel.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, there are disclosed minor modifications of the construction of Fig. 5, which may be utilized either with the driving connection disclosed in Fig. 5, or in connection with the assembly shown in Fig. l, but which are provided to disclose the varying sizes of the syringes which may be advantageously utilized with the device in question. In the modification of Fig. 6, for example, there is disclosed a 10 cc. syringe, the barrel of which is generally indicated at 120, provided with a plunger 121, and the customary tip 122. The arrangement of screw barrel 30' and drive barrel St) is substantially identical to that disclosed in the foregoing modification, but the locking collar for the syringe barrel generally indicated at 125 difiers slightly from that of the foregoing modification in a manner now to be described. In this modification collar 125 terminates at its inner end in a peripheral flange 126, the outer surface of which is threaded at 127 to engage the threads 105 of barrel 30'. A spaced groove or channel 128 permits the seating interiorly of flange 126 of washers or gaskets 129, adapted to seat against one side of the ring or flange 130 of syringe barrel 120. On the other side of the flange is positioned a second gasket or washer 131, and flange 130 is adapted to be compressed between gaskets 129 and 131 by means of a locking nut generally indicated at 133, exteriorly threaded at 134 to engage the interior threads 135 of collar 125. A knurled operating rim 136 is provided to facilitate the removal and insertion of the syringe by means of the removal and insertion of the lock nut.

In Fig. 7 a still further modification is shown. In this construction the arrangement of locking collar 125 is substantially identical to that of Fig. 6, as is the construction of the barrel 30'. Here, however, there is provided only a 5 cc. syringe, generally indicated at 140, and provided with plunger 141 and a tip 142 substantially identical to the tip 122 of the preceding modification. In this arrangement a gasket or washer 143 seats against the flange 126 of the collar, and engages one edge of rim 144 of syringe barrel 140. A corresponding washer or gasket 145 is positioned on the other side thereof and is engaged by a peripheral flange 146 extending inwardly from the threaded portion 147 of a lock nut generally indicated at 148. With the exception of the flange, the lock nut is substantially identical to that of the modification disclosed in Fig. 6, being provided with a knurled rim 149, as in the foregoing modification. From this it will be seen that the barrel, such as disclosed in Fig. 5, and the various arrangement of collars and washers previously described that any suitable size of conventional syringe may be advantageously utilized with the same device, and in accordance with the medicinal dose to be applied.

In Figs. 8, 9, and 10 there is disclosed a still further modification of this inventive concept, which, while embodying the same inventive principles, discloses a form which is adapted for the insertion of a multiplicity of hypodermic syringe doses simultaneously to a multiplicity or plurality of patients. In this arrangement there is generally indicated at 150 a casing or housing which contains a timing motor 21" and a reduction gearing box 22", the latter being provided with a drive shaft 35" and a polygonal drive pin 36". In this arrangement the housing 150 is adapted to be positioned in substantially vertical relation and supported on a flat surface such as a table or the like and includes a peripheral shoulder 151, the purpose of which will be more fully described hereinafter.

Centrally positioned of the shoulder 151 is a central bore, surrounded by a tubular extension 152 comprising an integral portion of housing 151, and provided with a plurality of stepped shoulders 153, 154, and 155 respectively. Referring first to that portion of member 152 adjacent shoulder 153, it will be seen that shoulder 153 serves as an abutment for one end of an outer ball race 156. The lower end of ball race 156 is supported on a collar or flange 157 seated in a peripheral groove cut in the sidewall interiorly of the lower portion of member 152.

Drive shaft 35" engages in a suitable corresponding aperture 158 inthe end of a drive barrel generally indicated at 159 which includes a reduced end portion 160, provided with a shoulder 161. Seated between the shoulder 161 and an inner bearing retaining flange or ring 162 is an inner ball race 163. Ball races 163 and 156 are so spaced as to accommodate ball bearings 164 to facilitate free rotation of drive barrel 159, as rotated by drive pin 36". A portion of drive barrel 159 is provided with interior threads 165, which engage corresponding threads 166 on an interior threaded member generally indicated at 167 of generally octagonal shape, and including flat surfaces 168, the purpose of which will be more fully described hereinafter. Adjacent to threaded portions 165 of drive barrel 159 and exteriorly thereof are needle bearings 169, which are adapted to seat adjacent the shoulders 154 and be retained in position by collars or rings 170. It will thus be seen that the drive barrel 159 is freely rotatable relative to tubular extension 152, and that correspondingly rotation thereof will cause through the threaded engagement of threads 165 and 166 linear movement of threaded member 167.

Threaded member 167 being internally threaded is fixedly secured to the top plate ofan outer tubular member including a depending skirt 176, the securing arrangement taking the form of a threaded screw 177 engaging said internal thread and carrying a wing head 178.

' A swivelably mounted connecting member 179 is pivotally secured as by means of a cap screw 180 in a suitable threaded aperture in the top of casing 152, and is provided with a right angled interior surface 181 adapted to engage as best shown in Figure 9 about the flat surfaces 168 of member 167. This arrangement serves to preclude rotation of threaded member 167 with drive barrel 159, and consequently by the threaded engagement hereinbefore described results in linear movement thereof, from the dotted line position disclosed in Fig. 8 to the solid line position thereof, all for a purpose and in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter.

A radial rim extends outwardly from the lower portion of skirt 176, and contains a plurality of radially arranged internally threaded bores or apertures 191, each of which is provided with a fixed end closure 192, centrally apertured as indicated at 193. The central aperture is provided for the passage therethrough of the end 194 of the plunger 195 of a conventional hypodermic syringe barrel 196, the end 194 being adapted to seat against the shoulder 151 previously described. A washer or collar seats against the interior periphery of closure member 192 and surrounds aperture 193. Disc 197 engages one side of the flange 198 of the hypodermic syringe barrel 196 and on the other side of the flange 198 is positioned a similar disc or washer 199. A lock nut 200 serves to secure each syringe barrel in its appropriate relationship.

In this modification of the device, it will be readily apparent that the hypodermic syringes 196 are first positioned as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 9, with the plungers extended, each syringe being provided with the customary needle fitting 201, and when the device is actuated, rotation of drive barrel 159 will occasion linear movement of threaded member 167, and consequent linear movement of the depending skirt 176. This arrangement obviously will occasion downward movement of the syringe barrels196, and consequent injection o the fluid contained therein, through the engagement of heads 194 against shoulders 151.

It; will thus be seen by means of the device disclosed in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 inclusive, that a plurality of injections may be given to a plurality of patients simultane ously and all at the same predetermined rate of. speed.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there is herein provided an injector which accomplishes all of; the objccts of this invention and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

While various changes may, be made in the detailed construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be Within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as. defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device for the timed injection of hypodermically administered fluid, a housing, a timing motor in said housing, an exterior screw barrel, a drive barrel positioned interiorly of said, screw barrel, a linearly displaceable threaded member movable within said drive barrel and engagcable with said screw barrel, means for rotating said interior barrel to linearly displace said threaded member to inject the fluid in. said injector.

2. In a device for the timed injectionv of hypodermically administered fluid, a housing, a timing motor in said housing, an exterior screw barrel, a drive barrel positioned interiorly of said screw barrel, a linearly displaceable threaded member rotatable within said drive barrel, means for moving said interior-barrel. for linear displacemerit of said threaded member to inject the fluidin said injector, said screw barrel containing interior threads to engage said threaded member.

3. In a device for the timed injection of hypodermically administered fluid, a housing, a timing motor in said housing, an exterior screw barrel, a drive barrel p0- sitioncd interiorly of said screw barrel, a linearly displaceable threaded member rotatable within said drive barrel and engageable with said screw barrel, means for rotating said interior barrel to linearly displace said threaded member to inject the fluid in said injection, and bearings interposed between said exterior and said interior barrels.

4. Ina device for thetimed injection of hypodermically administered fluid, a housing, a timing motor in said housing, an exterior screw barrel, a drive barrel positioned interiorly of said screw barrel, a linearly displaceable threaded member rotatable within said drive barrel and engageable with said screw barrel, means for rotating said interior barrel to linearly displace said threaded member to inject the fluid in said injection, bearings interposed between said exterior and said intcrior barreis, and a lock nut secured to the exterior barrel for securing and aligning said hypodermic syringe opposite said interior barrel.

5. In a device of the character described, a housin a timing motor in said housing, an interiorly threaded screw barrel, a drive barrel rotatable by said motor in said screw barrel, said drive barrel having elongated slots therein, a screw member having lugs extending through said slots cngageable with said screw barrel and a hypodermic syringe including a plunger linearly movable by said screw member.

6. In a device of the character described, a housing, a timing motor in said housing, an interiorly threaded screw barrel, a drive barrel rotatable by said motor in said screw barrel, said drive barrel having elongated slots therein, a screw member having lugs extending through said slots engageable with said screw barrel and a hypodermic syringe including a plunger linearly movable by said screw member, and a locking collar engageable with said hypodermic syringe for securing the same to said screw barrel.

7. The construction of claim 6, wherein said locking collar includes an interiorly positioned flange for the engagement of a sealing washer with a corresponding flange on said syringe.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,751,139 Feinstein Mar. 18, 19.30 2,270,804 Dutky et al. Jan. 20, 1942 2,498,672 Glass Feb. 28, 1950 2,605,766 Uytenbogaart Aug. 5, 1952 

